to make this...

I'll share with you a few things you may need...

first

{duh}

a gingerbread kit

 courtesy of Trader Joe's

really I should be a spokesperson in our area for them

*love* that store to pieces

just wish we had one a bit closer

I've tried to suggest they put one in our town or the next town over

 my family and extended family would keep them in business

not to mention several friends too

but it hasn't happened yet

I'll just continue to suggest

until they decide to thank me later
after they do decide to open a new location near me for my convenience
and it's really successful

but anyway

thank goodness I have a job where I get paid to be a spokesperson

no,...
this is absolutely *not* a shameless plug for what I do

I'm being serious

about that

it's really not a plug

because there is nothing like loving something you get paid for

that's seriously my job

and I love it

just being honest

with you all

it's one of those *honest* kind of days

you know

fyi if you'd like a gingerbread kit yourself

this one was purchased for $7.99 from Trader Joe's

I haven't found one that is cheaper or cuter yet to be honest
just my opinion

if you don't have a Trader Joe's...

Target has a couple for $9.99 as well

{just thought I would share that in case you are a price kind of person}

so secondly...

and this one is completely optional...

it would be optional to me

but I really didn't have a choice in the matter

but secondly

you need

 help that thinks they know everything about buildings

particularly metal pre-engineered buildings

who also can manage the project
or has management skills

oops...

I almost forgot we are doing a gingerbread house

not a "pre-engineered metal" gingerbread house

so those credentials/requirements
{I previsouly mentioned}

are highly optional

unless that person is cute

then just maybe they can get away with project managing

{ahem...the one above}

thirdly...

and what worked for us

is a wee little one who just likes to entertain everyone

or shake the candy packages...

 maybe to make music
or maybe just to do it for fun

no particular skills required

but someone who makes you smile and laugh
{a requirement of any kind of project}

that would be this one in our family

see...

she just wanted to shake the packages of sprinkles, gummies

and that little mark on her cute face
she flat-backed herself at my in-laws house over Thanksgiving
ran right into the corner of the cabinets
it really did kind of scare me
ugh...
but luckily the mark is looking so much better now

so would this be fourthly?...

I'm thinking...fourthly isn't a word

so let's go with

next...

you need an assistant to the project manager

who likes to study

every.single.detail

to make sure it looks exactly like the picture on the box

so the project manager

doesn't have a misstep

or

the project manager doesn't have to submit a *change order*

for the corrections that have to be made

{oh yes Mr. Project Manager I've heard you loud and clear with the lingo these last 6 years

surprised the heck out of you didn't I?}

oh, and...

I need to introduce you to the assistant project manager

that would be this one

the one on the right of course
you've already met the head PM

I thought the project managers could use a picture together

  lastly...

{I really wanted to say fifthly...}
as in the number 5 with a "ly" at the end

but I didn't...

just so you know...that does not say filthy above....it is 5thly...

if your mind wandered

that is not my fault...
I'm talking numbers here

you also

 need someone to document

{I guess}

why is that always me?

did I mention over thanksgiving weekend

in the car traveling

the project manager

"this guy"

had me typing his e-mails

as he dictated them to me

and of course I'm supposed to know how to spell obscure construction terms

*that was a fun drive*

kidding...

I only had to do one short e-mail since he was driving
and I joked with him about it
that my payment for my time should be in new fall boots

should have gotten it in writing
before I hit *send* on the e-mail

but anyway...someone to document

that would be me...

by the way

this was a super easy kit

all you had to do was mix the icing

and for that you only needed a little lemon juice and one egg white

I must mention one disclaimer

project managers often like to do trial runs of the pieces

in order to show the subordinate workers how it is really done

and exactly how the icing should go between the pieces so it sticks together

just a warning

no really...

we had a super fun hour or so starting a new tradition of putting together a gingerbread house

and we all worked together perfectly

within our own roles

{wink, wink}

well...me the documenter

got in trouble for taking too long to document

i.e.
taking a few pictures

and was warned that the icing was going to get too stiff to use as glue
for the *panels*

 and then the candies would not stick either

okay...

so I got three warnings

but it all worked out just fine

and if you have spare icing on hand

{doesn't have to be gingerbread icing btw}

for back-up that always helps

 we didn't use our back-up icing at all
{smile}

 our result was two very happy girls with a job well done
of decorating it all by themselves
and the box
{that's according to the assistant PM}

voila...

fyi...

I have a PM for hire
if you need one
 for your gingerbread house

I know just the person

you may be able to hire him by the 1/2 hour

as long as the terms are agreed upon

of course by the project manager, himself
and most importantly by his legal team,
moi

of course I would get it in writing for you
accepted forms of payment would be
new fall boots for the PM's documenter,
moi

{chuckle}

"Womanly Feelings"

Okay...here is the deal...I'll give you a little break down of how this went...yesterday was one sort of mess because all of sudden Monday night my legs were weak and a fever set in...which by the way broke during the middle of the night Tuesday, and I was left with kind of my normal headaches which I learn to deal...and I can say for it was kind of a long day with the kiddos...hair pulling...toy stealing....and toy hiding between the girls....

and by noon I was at my limit when I saw a pretty decent size amount of hair on the floor as the girls were eating lunch {the hair pulling aftermath}....so I tell you...I did in fact get mad at my kiddos in a big way...and {ahem} yelled for them to please quit...because face it...I'm normal at least I’d like to think, right?...maybe I'm just telling myself that to feel better...

In a dream world a "no yelling" rule at my home would be nice...but that is "dream world" to me…quite frankly we all reach our breaking point...and I hit mine as I was literally not just letting them run around like crazies all day...but really trying to keep them entertained with fun things to do...but it just wasn’t happening…

{BUT what I love about my hubby is that he said..."Martha I would think you wouldn't be normal if you never lost your cool in front of your kids...it's 'gonna' happen" sometimes even though we regret doing it...Okay really? Because I really got mad at them…because he heard me and knows I did…”Yes Martha!”…. Whew honey...needed that today {some bonus points for you}

Okay now...as I was trying to make Hayley smile {getting 4 canines right now...that's what we call them...I know they have numbers and such...my mom used to work for a dentist...so I know but that is what I like to call them}...anyhoo just trying to redeem myself and have some fun with her to help her smile...and I said....

"Hayley whatcha doin'?"

"Nuuuffin'" she replies...

we almost peed our pants in laughter because we didn't expect her to really answer us and with that...so we were chasing her around with the camera trying to capture it in which she would not say it as soon as I opened that sucker up because she is a little "stinker"... but obviously I finally got it:)

Back to my point again right?

because you are probably wondering what in the world that title has anything to do with this post...

So with Hayley being cranky…Bobby thought he would help with dinner since I have been under the weather and fighting fevers {which it came back this morning, and I thought I was feeling better...which is a stink because every year for the past 5 years either Bobby or I have been sick and under the weather…this year it seems like it is going to be me…so we have a tradition of toasting the New Year in the morning with mimosas because the one who is sick never makes it to midnight usually…and actually besides the being sick part…we have grown to love that tradition we have before the kiddos wake up on New Years Day to toast in the morning rather than midnight}....

Anyhoo...Hayley is my "love" girl...she loves to be loved on and physical touch is definitely her number one right now....Bobby told Hayley to play with Sis in the living room while we are cooking dinner...she was of course wanting some love {which by the way Bobby always gives her but she wants love 24/7 and frankly we just cannot do that everytime you know}...Hayley runs out of the kitchen...and Bobby says....{under his breath mind you... but to where it was obviously loud enough to still hear kind of thing}...and he says...

"womanly feelings..."

“Say again!?” as I'm now glaring at Bobby for saying such a comment to my baby {you know the one I got mad at myself earlier in the day for pulling hair}...

I said "what did ya say honey? and What does that mean?"... {this was me kidding with him…because I knew he said that to light my fire}

He replies… “Well...she didn't get what she wanted and went to cry about it....”

“Hmmm….? I’m confused because...isn’t that men who do that?” was my response back…

So you know what I did...took it to the next level… I called in my reinforcements...my girls...and this is what happened... {Madison counting for Daddy to be in timeout}...when she really did it she really emphasized the numbers like she was serious like when we do it...although she kept counting...and gave him to twelve not three but twelve...I loved it!

And then later I came downstairs to

Madison writing "mom" and Daddy working with her letters on the rest of "I love you"...made the hair pulling, toy stealing and toy hiding, and all that fuss forgotten about...seeing those words and having her tell me what they said...

He just felt bad for saying womanly feelings, don't you think?:)

I'd be a better mother if....

Sometimes I think...

I'd be a better mother if....

Well maybe I should note this first: I honestly was going to talk about if I lived in the moment more...but I just had a friend do that in her post...and so not to do the same thing and because I don't like being the same you know...I thought I would do a little spin on things...on my thoughts...on our day yesterday...

So here we go...




Like I said....I was thinking I would be a better mother if...


I really I enjoyed the moments more and not seeing my completed checklist or 1/2 done checklist you know....

As we left the house yesterday morning...I needed to be somewhere at a certain time...and the girls walked outside to get into the car...actually Hayley ran out there with her new little purse she has all bundled up and right out into the little bit of snow we had...saying, "Ice, Ice,Ice"...Mama!! {It was snow but close enough I thought...I couldn't correct her because it was so darn sweet!!!}

as much as I wanted to stop and let them enjoy the moment...we had to go...so I grabbed my camera and when we got home...I promised them I would let them enjoy the little bit of snow we had in the yard for a bit...


And I did...I l.o.v.e.d every single minute of it!

And then I got to thinking...my girls are telling me they are thirsty...and I forgot to pack a drink...even if it was a shorter time we were gone...I still forgot...




I thought...I'd be a better mother if I would just remember to always pack a drink for them...so they wouldn't have to eat snow and ice when they got home...thank goodness that cat wasn't in our yard or the that the lady just stopped by in her black car in my yard...takes her itty bitty dog pee "in.my.yard!"....should I repeat?

Perhaps so...

"let her itty bitty dog pee in O.U.R. yard!!!" Yep...thought I was going to have a cow that day...and by the way no offense to itty bitty pups...we own one ourselves:)...

Back to my point...


I'd be a better mother if my list of "to-do's" wasn't always so long...and neverending because my late nights take a toll on me...

And then in the blink of an eye yesterday with the girls...I realized I was doing just what I wanted ...in that moment of time...I was enjoying the moment with my lovelies...I stopped and literally could have cried...{I'm a big sap...a great big sap...and a romantic sap on top of that...}....I looked at my girls outside playing in the little amount of snow we had...I laughed with them...heard my youngest point out airplane and say it because her sis loves them so much...and finally I bribed them with chocolate to come inside...

and the rest of the day we baked the day away...and I even had time for making a lunch and dinner...one of the most productive days I've had with the girls...enjoying the moments as they helped roll peanut butter balls, sprinkle and dip the twizzlers, pretzels, and enjoy a treat or two every once in awhile...they probably wondered what in the world has come over their mom with all this candy...but it is alright...because showing them to indulge and enjoy the moments is what I want to do more often with them and actually for myself too...

I saw their faces in delight...and I forgot about everything else {just about}...

The candy and cookies are done except the new recipe I plan to make tomorrow...they are packaged and sent with hubby to work and packaged for our neighbors...and delivered in surprise to their home...surprising them is always what is the best part for me...I love it!

And as Daddy walked in the door last night...I listened to Madison tell him all that she helped make...with a happiness and delight that came across her face to share her treasures with her Daddy...

 It dawned on me that I really did it...I spent an entire day living in the moment...and I loved every bit of it...on top of reaffirming that I am in fact the queen of Wii bowling in our household...{ahem...I'm not bragging or anything...just saying...not to mention "someone" {ahem I wonder who...?} told me they were not taking my advice I was very well willing to share about Wii bowling...:)  okay then...I guess I'll just keep kickin' hiney!)

And today we were off to visit Daddy for lunch...Madison has been dying to see Daddy's office...non-stop asking for about a month or so...so we made her request a reality today...and we drove to have lunch as she wanted it...sandwiches in his office and cookies she made for dessert!

And so I was happy to finally and truly dedicate a day with as hard as it was to no plans and fun...and a tradition of baking carried out to it's fullest!

I wish I may...

I wish I might...


 "wish" upon the stars tonight...I'm really going to stick with "wish upon the stars tonight"...because sometimes you just want to make a wish you know...


I'm easily sidetracked right now if you couldn't already tell but I guess I should start over to get the effect that I was wanting,   right?

Okay So here we go...


I wish I may...


I wish I might...


wish upon a star tonight...

{picture from Country Living}

that the piece to the hot water tank in our home stinkin' finally arrives...because frankly I am tired of "luke cold" showers...I'm saving the hot water for the kiddos...but I got to tell you I have been waiting 2 1/2 months for a stinkin' piece to arrive...and hubby says it still is not in...and I'm getting slightly annoyed...{actually I promised honesty...so I'll say it again...I'm getting ticked...}

because I like my showers hot...burn the skin...turn the skin red...{not pink}, HOT...red HOT...HOT showers...and for 2 1/2 months I've endured...yep...I'm tired of the freezing cold... {I realize everyone it could be very worse so please no judging}...

and I'm getting annoyed of shaving and it not even making a difference when I step out of the shower....

In all honesty...I really never meant that to make it to the blog...but it just came out and I feel like not turning back now...today is one of those days where I'm just typing as I think...shall we start over again?

one more time...


I wish I may...



I wish I might...




...wish upon a star tonight...


that the 10 days left before Christmas...I'm surrounded by my girls...enjoying the spirit of the holidays...laughing...doing things that make all of us happy...surrounding myself with others that have the holiday spirit...the true spirit...without expectations...doing things out of love...

One tradition I have that I want to pass on to our girls is one day dedicated only to Christmas baking...we had this day growing up and it was always my favorite...but I loved it...and this year


I'm going to find that day even if it is December 23rd...and I want the girls to enjoy it...although I foresee sugar and flour everywhere...but that may just be the best part...{at least that is what I will have to tell myself...} as I realize the mess our fun has created...

We had the tradition of doing fantastic sweet treats...but my goal is to add a new one to the mix this year...spice it up a little...my little spin on things...and I'm thinking these pecan delights shown below...yummy yummy...so....if it calls to you....

{picture from Country Living}

I wish I may....


I wish I might...


wish upon a star tonight...



that these last 10 days before Christmas are just wonderful, delightful, miracle-happening, flour pouring, cookie baking, laughable, believable, and well spent for all of you too!...

And just to add to the mix...my friend Kasey who I just adore is doing a superb give-a-way on her blog with items in her shop...visit her blog...leave a comment, blog about it, and seriously "make a wish upon a star tonight" that you win it because I'm telling you packages from her...will make you literally jump for joy...it ends midnight December 17th...hurry quick because she is one inspiring woman!

Blessings to you all!